AFL Player # 2: Sam Draper - The mullet hath returneth - 22/6

[Dave]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 20, TheUnicorn

 

[Rick Ross]

Drapers got lots of forward craft. It’s just he’s a massively oversized Small Forward. Lol

Funny… because it’s true.

 

[Hird05]

Definitely not giving up on him like some. Just needs some luck with injuries to get back to his best

 

[Hird05]

 

[Just A Tragic]

I like Draper in our mix. We have a lot of quality but predicable soldiers in the mix right now. Draper adds that unpredictability that can open games up, especially around centre clearances and i50 stoppages.

Having said that, we still need him to contribute in the other 70 minutes, by competing in the air better down the line.

As a fwd he will always be an unpredictable kick, but he does demand attention, which theoretically gives the other fwds more opportunity.

He also brings kids to the footy. He is our new Walla in that regard. May he get his body right and let the madness unleash!

 

[bommer16]

The thread title change is awesome

 

[Rick Ross]

I don’t think he’s a good key forward. I just think he’s currently the only player on the team physically capable of playing the role. Circa Cale Hooker 2021

The 7/10 times he gets caught behind the contest is bad, but if he gets it to 5/10 and Jones can bail him out 2-3 times by coming in from the side then that’s a good outcome 7-8 times out of 10 which would be acceptable.

Then it also frees up Wright and Langford to play as leading targets on defenders they can take advantage of.

That’s the thing about this structure. Draper as the “Drop Zone Forward” is still the 4th option after Langford (leading forward) Wright (High Leading Forward) Jones (2nd man up)

Also as good as Gresham has been playing higher he’s should probably spend more time deeper as the best crumber on the team.

I spent the whole preseason bagging the 2 ruck system but eventually came around to this conclusion as well. Drapper isn’t the ideal fwd-ruc or ruc-fwd. long term we need a better solution.

But with this list we need him as our bullocking big aggressive body up there some times to change us up and give us some grunt.

No one else that fits…

 

[Rick Ross]

Definitely not giving up on him like some. Just needs some luck with injuries to get back to his best

It’s two of those great cliches that is both true and also just as often an excuse.

Guy was out all pre season. Needs a run at it.

Big men take time to develop. Hasn’t developed this year (or last).

Plus (bonus cliche) had anyone mentioned lately that he has a soccer back ground?!?!

If I was ranking issues to solve, dislodging Drapper as our long term ruck sits 5th? 6th?

 

[Gabe251]

Good today bar his terrible kicks into 50. Just should not be doing that job.

 

[naraku]

Happy to see him and his agro back on the field.

 

[blitzer]

I thought he was good today but lets see him back it up. Can't just play good footy now and then. Needs to actually achieve a level of consistency.

 

[Beerfish]

He just BLAAAARRRGs his way into packs. Love it. I love it all.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Good today bar his terrible kicks into 50. Just should not be doing that job.

Similar issue with Goldy last game, our mids/back flanks need to work harder to get hand ball receives from them.

...although with Draper I noticed one play Zach ran past asking for the handball and he ignored him, wouldn't be surprised if Draper overestimated his kicking skills

 

[Bunk Moreland]

If we’re serious about building this side then he needs to play ahead of Goldstein.

 

[Pweter]

Was good to see him take a couple of contested grabs today. He has to make it his new normal now.

 

[Petrify]

Might be the best a ruck has played for us all year in terms of actual impact on the game. Having a ruck who can run out the front of a stoppage is part of what makes Sydney so good.

 

[Lore]

If we’re serious about building this side then he needs to play ahead of Goldstein.

I don’t think Drapes has played in the 2s for years?

 

[Rick Ross]

If we’re serious about building this side then he needs to play ahead of Goldstein.

Agree with this.

Been great to have Goldie provide a steady hand, but if Draper is fit I think he has to play. Sole or second ruck, needs the games.

Be interested to see how he pulls up after a limited preseason, injury time out then playing 1st ruck.

 

[MiguelM]

One of the better games he has played. We looked much better when he was in the ruck not 2MP. Strong around the ground and contest today.

Pity we didn't lockdown on Ryan.

 

[katana]

If we’re serious about building this side then he needs to play ahead of Goldstein.

he needs to play instead of goldstein

 

[Tazdog]

Per AFL

"Veteran ruck Todd Goldstein

17

Todd Goldstein

Age

35

Ht

201cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

5.7

2star

HB

7.5

5star

CL

3.1

5star

HO

32.5

5star

D

16.7

4star

K

9.3

4star

HB

7.4

4star

CL

7.0

5star

HO

32.9

5star

D

5.2

2star

K

2.6

1star

HB

2.6

3star

HO

10.0

5star

was rested for last Sunday's win against West Coast and appears unlikely to return to partner with Sam Draper.

After missing eight weeks, Draper performed strongly against the Eagles, and Essendon will fancy his chances of winning the ruck battle alone."

Might make sense, considering some rain is expected. Gresham back into the side for one of Jones/Caddy/Cox

 

[Happyskeret]

It was nice to see him take a few overhead marks.

 

[mcgrath_truther]

It was nice to see him take a few overhead marks.

that’s what i noticed the most - he was present at a lot of contests, even if he didn’t clunk them he affected them enough that it went to ground

 

[joey_jo_jo]

that’s what i noticed the most - he was present at a lot of contests, even if he didn’t clunk them he affected them enough that it went to ground

I think hes done that better most of this season. Port game he was poor though

 

[mcgrath_truther]

I think hes done that better most of this season. Port game he was poor though

maybe, but i suppose since i was at the game it was more noticeable.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

maybe, but i suppose since i was at the game it was more noticeable.

Me too, I feel your pain!